Celtic Diary Wednesday February 7: Stories Of Unrest Won’t Go Away

Remember when ronny Deila was in charge, and we kept hearing that his fitness and diet regime was causing all sorts of rumbles amongst his charges ? And how they rebelled against him ?

It appears that at first, Brendan could do what he liked and those same charges, give or take a few stragglers, got on with it, because it was, well, Brendan, who did well at Swansea and nearly won the league at Liverpool.

Even though he pretty much picked up where Deila left off, except the players knew he wouldn’t be shy of getting rid of them. He has an air of authority that Deila hadn’t.

Eighteen months or so on, with a lengthening injury list and a few more who are reluctant to say they are injured, and not much has changed. The players seem to still hate the extra training, the lack of pies and chips, and more importantly, the extra training.

Oh, I said that twice. For emphasis I suppose..

All is not well at Celtic, and perhaps a clue might come by observing the ongoing car crash at Chelsea.

Has the managers head been turned ?

Antonio Conte is certain to be fired within the next couple of weeks, and unlike the Scottish FA, professional and competent outfits usually sound out a successor for the important jobs..

Could the delay in Conte’s sacking be down to his favoured successor not being able to give a yes or no ?

Or could all of this be bollocks ?

Ordinarily, I’d say it was bollocks, but there seems to be a stream of little bits of tittle tattle that point to a break down in relations between management and players at Celtic, and if thats the case, then we’d better hope that Steve Clarke doesn’t get the Scotland job…and that he is fed up at Kilmarnock.

As for the players, how can we expect their morale to be high when we see this sort of reaction to the news that Stuart Armstrong, a vital player in last seasons team, is going to be available, touch wood, for the Zenit St Petersburg Europa League game…

As you are aware, players read what is written about them, and in all honesty, could you blame Armstrong if he said to himself “Fuck the lot of them ” ?

Morale is clearly low amongst the players, for whatever reason, but even if they feel the manager is against them, or anyone else for that matter, they must never feel the support has turned on them.

Anyone attending games will have noticed the increase in the howls of derision from the stand that follow a misplaced pass, or a badly hit shot. This doesn’t help, it removes what little confidence a player has and encourages him to hide, which leads to a less than enthusiastic all round performance, like the ones of late, bith before and after the break.

Whilst players are responsible for their own efforts, the management should be spotting this, and dealing with it. They are, after all, paid to manage.

The players, however, including those who are hiding or carrying injuries must also make the management aware of how they are feeling, mentally and physically, so that they can go out and play to the best of their ability.

Which is what they are paid for.

but perhaps more importantly, the pride in wearing the shirt has gone, and that should be the first priority of the management, to put the pride back into the peformances.

One way to start with that would be for someone to plant a question to Rodgers asking about Chelsea , and for him to deny any interest.

Although he has said how happy he is at Celtic on a number of occasions, our support is notoriously fickle about some things, and we need reassurance from time to time that we are still loved by everyone. If he comes out nd tells us he’s happy, then the players will either join him for the rest of the ride, or make it easier for him to spot the ones who are simply marking time…

Whatever the problem is, though, it needs to be sorted now.

Pride is at stake in next weeks Europa League game, we have a chance to make up for the poor results of the last couple of years in straightforward two legged win or bust ties.

Arguably, they suit our mentality better, as the side have admirably overcome Astana, Rosenborg, and a couple of other teams where it was felt Celtic would struggle. not necessarily becuase those teams were stronger, but becuase of the circumstances surrounding the ties, such as travel, timing and pressure.

The players proved they could handle all three, and the home performance against Astana has arguably yet to be bettered, as indeed could be said about the away win in Rosenborg.

Put that attitude and that professionalism into the two games against Zenith, and we could well go all the way in this tournament.

We might need to as well, if we are to qualify for next seasons UCL group stages, as moravcik 67 explained on twitter last night.

Wee update on next season’s CL qualifying. On current standings the playoff seeds would be PSV, PAOK, Ludogorets & Salzburg. Celtic would be the 1st unseeded team. Early days, need to win the league first, etc, etc, But next seasons qualifying could be far tougher than usual.

Ludogorets and Salzburg are in the EL. PAOK and PSV are out. The Zenit games could be crucial for next season. Even 1 draw from the 2 legs would take us above PAOK, Brugge and Galatasaray in the rankings – all of whom are in contention for next seasons CL.

Or we could just win the bloody thing…

To do that, however, would require a major turnaround in the way the players -and the management -are thinking.

But, there’s no time like the present to begin to change that.

Still, things could be worse, and the financial outlook for Glasgows newest club took a turn for the worse yesterday with this news… from the Independent..

China’s quest to buy up global supply of donkeys halted by African nations

Atte Issa, a Niger government official, told the BBC that around 80,000 donkeys had been exported from the landlocked African country this year compared to 27,000 last year.

“If the export continues the animals will be decimated,” he said.

The average price of a donkey has also increased by around three-fold, according to the broadcaster, and some livestock sellers are switching to donkey breeding as their trade has become so profitable.

Donkeys in Scotland, of course, have seen their value rocket, with one in particular being quoted as worth £8million, though not quoted by anyone remotely reliable, it has to be said.

As for the campaign to install Walter smith as Scotland boss , designed purely to defelct attention away from the real villains of the piece who hid for years behind Stewart “Patsy ” Regan, compare and contrast what happens elsewhere with what happens in Scotland..

From the BBC..

The Football Association is investigating allegations England manager Sam Allardyce used his role to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offer advice on how to “get around” rules on player transfers.

The Telegraph has footage it says is from August of Allardyce meeting men claiming to represent a Far East firm and appearing to tell them that third-party ownership rules can be avoided.

The 61-year-old has yet to respond to the allegations, while the FA has asked to see the paper’s filmed recordings.

He did respond, of course, as he was clearing out his desk. The English FA sacked him after one game in charge.

In Scotland , however, we look at things differently.. as Rangers Tax Case on twitter reminded us..

To be very precise in terminology: Walter Smith was the protector of an MGMRT sub-trust funded by Rangers.

To be even more precise, that makes him a party to tax dodging, and the SFA, themselves no strangers to bending the rules, want him to run the national team.

All very cosy comfy, but it does the beg the question, which I am sure has occurred to the investigative reporters who jump at this sort of story, why would they want a guy like that in charge ?

It brings a while new, and distasteful meaning to the phrase “safe pair of hands “…

Yesterdays image..not photoshopped, apparently.. though I can;t se that myself

166 Responses

Good post Ralph. Although wi ‘supporters’ like this it make yi shake yer heid: “We got some good news on the injury front….Dedryck Boyata is out for 6 months & not three weeks as first feared.”

Pathetic.

BJFFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:03 am ·

I am still too far away to hear any bits and pieces Ralph but I hope you are wrong both about players being unsettled and the Chelsea interest. We heard Jozo and Mousse were to be out the door in the Transfer Window and both seem happy to stay. You are right about the crowd being louder in their hostility towards our players with misplaced passes etc,as enough forces in Scotland weren’t around to do down Celtic. So called supporters wanting Celtic players to be injured or unavailable make my stomach turn. I wonder how we would feel about a player faking injury to avoid a game? I admit if we lose to PT and Zenit some of the less mature guys will do their but I am confident we will get good results in both, ironically we seem to be in a bit of transition and your point about next season’s CL is well made.

Puggy67February 7, 2018 at 8:12 am ·

SFA skullduggery digs up dugout duty dodger.

Mike AnnisFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:13 am ·

I love the way you talk about players reafingball the negative stuff about themselvescandcaffecting morale then repeat a load of slurs against Armstrong. .??

Caption. You says he’s worth £8m? Don’t be daft, my EBT is worth more than that donkey.

Weered,
It’s not his eyes tgat’s the problem, it’s his forgetfulness, shaky hand and ‘ sore back ‘ when it’s his round at the bar.
Honestly when he & Mike sit together it’s a sight to behold….Staedler & Waldorf.

WeeredFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:35 am ·

🙂

SFTBFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:58 am ·

There’s been an increase in the stream of tittle tattle, you say?

Well, that’s me convinced.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:12 am ·

Armstrongs running power is badly missed, and your right about our supporters, they are a fickle lot. But the players really shouldnt pay any attention to social media its full of bampots like us:)
We have a full team injured.Yet we dont get the credit for being able to withstand all of this and remain clear at the top of the league.
What other team in Britain could cope with a full starting 11 missing.
Gordon
Lustig Boyata Ajer Compper Ralston
Roberts Armstrong Rogic Hayes.
Griff.
Add Mikey Johnston now as well and our first team squad has been halved.
That team would beat most of them and even our starting 11 this week.
The work is being done by the media to unsettle our players,unsettle our manager, they may think that an actual title race is on,and will crank up the pressure on everyone connected with the club.It is time to be strong.
Our players are giving there all and much more.
KT has played the most games in world football,the rest of the invincibles cant be far behind. We need all our players, we need our supporters to trust the manager.
We are heading for 10 in a row the powers of darkness will not stop to try and derail us.
Wisen up supporters of Celtic and keep the one true faith.
We need Armstrong Paddy Lustig Rogic Griff etc
Anyone who doesnt think so has no place in paradise.

john youngFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:42 am ·

Jimmybee Armstrong is weak/ineffectual and average to say the least just what we do not need.

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:19 pm ·

We are going for 7.Lets not get carried away. a couple more defeats and the race is on. The players have had this pointed out to them and to be honest there are some that won’t play for the Jersey..

BondiBrianFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:37 pm ·

Another consistently good post Jimmy.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:15 am ·

Wee update on cl nect season, when we win the europa this season we dont need to qualify 🙂

Johnjoe 6264February 7, 2018 at 9:17 am ·

To be quite honest i would rather we weren”t in the champions league stages we just get humiliated and any money that is made from it doesn’t get invested in the team anyway

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:20 am ·

Your kidding right

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:26 pm ·

Nurse Ratched

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:21 pm ·

Good for hotels though, no riffraff please..

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:18 am ·

Caption: Lads you should have came when the ebts were given out, then you could have dressed like me, look at the state of yous.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:22 am ·

Finally a caption winner i dedicate it to Charlie for his support 🙂

charlieFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:01 am ·

jimmy i accept my part in your triumph ,,,,,,,,even though ime startin tae think ralphs a hun so his opinion matters not he he

Monti gonna start the Dedryck Boyata fan club with minutes and meetings. Do you want to be secretary ?

Celtic SymphonyFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:34 am ·

Sorry,Ralph
Not having this Chelski and Brendan rumour.This will be filed under your,” McGinn has signed for Celtic ” pish.
Yes,Brendan is frustrated,taking it out on players.Can you blame him ?
Horrendous injury list is the cause of his mood.
Players have to man up,show their bottle on the park,and create chances,like they did against Herts.
HH

AlzyerpalFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:36 am ·

Caption:

After hearing the Fun Boy Three performing their 1983 chart hit “Our Lips Are Sealed” The SFA make a move to sign-up the “Dream-Team” management combo.

Iancelt67February 8, 2018 at 7:53 am ·

Preferred the go gos version

Iancelt67February 7, 2018 at 9:40 am ·

Caption
Did you see that boys one of the Celtic players put a swerve on the ball. Take notes ally

If he is offered the Chelsea job he will take it. He still has connections there and is clearly fond of Chelsea as a club. It is a CL club as well, with a lot of good players. He won’t stay here if a big club want him. But who next for us? That is the real question. Everyone will be looking at Clarke? Is Lenny in with a shout?

charlieFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:53 am ·

dry yoor fuckin eyes zombie

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:22 pm ·

Of course he would take it, it’s morally correct..

BondiBrianFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:42 pm ·

Ah think BR is a man of integrity. He’s on record stating he probably has another 20 years in the gemm. Ah don’t think he would sully his reputation, no ti mention his morals by bailing oot ( that’s what it would be: bailing oot ) from Celtic.

As for players getting injured, its a contact sport, the players have access ti the best physios etc in the country, deal wi it.

schoosh71February 7, 2018 at 9:51 am ·

FCUK Chelsea. Brendan is at a club he loves, so money shouldn’t matter. If his eye has been turned by a russian blonde called Chelsea already, as we and he already know a wandering eye never ends up well. FCUK Chelsea. HH

charlieFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:57 am ·

caption the baldy guy sais fuck copying they two muppets a might get offered the scotland jobby

Big ShuggyFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:03 am ·

And so it starts. the daily rectums headline

Appointing Walter Smith would be the first step on the SFA’s path to redemption – Swan.

it never seizes to amaze me how much rubbish and stories are bantered around , without confirmation , firstlt to say that the players have lostt know who was not in the frame . so lets stop all this shit stirring and do what we do best , syupport our great manager and team , and to add i will be glad to see stuart back , miss him , but then i dont have a short memory , god bless all at PARADISE confidence in brendan and are not happy , bollocks , he is the force that drives these bhoys on , he has such passion for celtic and this transfers on to the team . he insires them and they love the boss . as for chelsey , well just like all the speculations on the january window don

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:27 pm ·

Ceases dear….Ceases!

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:43 pm ·

This transfers to the team? How happy do they look and how are the performances? Problems are mounting. if you knew the half of it….

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:43 pm ·

Rob… How much do you think you know about all of these machinations???

Totally agree Jimmy. The buck stops at BR door. He’s on record stating the board have the finances to get the players he wants. Some on here think they know the machinations of the behind the scenes of the gemm better than BR.

End of the day what yi watch on the pitch comes doon ti BR, its his team no Lawwells.

WeeredFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:09 am ·

BondiBrian… My horizons are broadened very nicely…Possibly far too much with my personal life experiences…
But thanks for your concern…
What has the dates got to do with anything…
My eyesight is corrected nicely with standard thickness glass and it enables me to see all I survey

Rob(The Truth Is Out There) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:26 am ·

Contacts Weered,some cultivated,some long term.You will recognise this as being a Republican strategy.Would never give names but include staff at various levels,Celtic minded journalists who have to ,mostly,hide their leanings,parents,a first team player whose family are close friends of friends of mine.A Lisbon Lion,long time family friend…..I could blow the lid off,but promises are promises…..

WeeredFebruary 9, 2018 at 2:50 pm ·

Rob…best to keep your gob shut then on ALL counts

charlieFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:08 am ·

ive already booked a villa for the charlie family in may so awe yoos naysayers dont be askn for a swim in ma pool when we win the wee diddy cup……….cunts …excuse ma french ….naw cunts

Schoosh, I agree with you. I can’t stand Chelsea but ‘he is at the club he loves’ really? You think that will stop him from taking a job at the top end of the EPL with regular CL participation. A slow -witted 8 year old knows it won’t keep him AT Celtic. Plus they will more than double his salary. This Brendan loves Celtic is overplayed. He has an affinity with the club, yes, but was he an actual supporter. I don’t think so. He is not a supporter in the same way we are. And is certainly no Tommy Burns. He has as much a personal connection with Chelsea as he has with us. I never thought for a moment he would go unless it was a top job and Chelsea is a top job. I think we have every right to be worried.

Think he’s got guaranteed work security at Celtic where he might only last a few months at chelsea if he doesn’t turn them around. Man city’s riches have made the also rans down to Arsenal a poison chalice

charlieFebruary 7, 2018 at 11:08 am ·

lance you make me laugh please stay ha ha ha ha

Iancelt67February 7, 2018 at 12:14 pm ·

Think it’s a fair comment Charlie. Managing teams at the top of the epl is a short lived career unless you’re winning it. Wenger seems to be an exception here. Mourinho will go Klopp will go and do will conte. That’s how I see it anyway.

Iancelt67February 8, 2018 at 7:44 am ·

Maybe I should limit my input to. “Zombie” or dry yer eyes in this journey of how to win over etimmers and influence them!

Iljas BakerFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:56 pm ·

Spot on lance. You tell it how it is.

gordon rossFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:11 pm ·

John,you question Brendan’s love of Celtic and if he was even a real supporter.He has many times,publicly stated that he has been a fan since boyhood along with the rest of the Rogers clan who have been Celtic fans for generations.So what your suggesting is that Brendan’s not being truthful about being happy and having a job to do here in trying to turn our CL aspirations into reality.Building a Celtic team capable of progressing to the knock out stages would be a massive achievement for the club.He has already improved the performance levels of the players already here when he arrived,and the likes of Ntcham,Musonda and Edouarde being added to Rogic,Dembele,Sinclair,Tierney and the many promising youngsters chomping at the bit to break into the first team squad,the foundations of an exciting young attacking team are being laid.
You say an EPL club can more than double Brendan’s salary,true but the fact he came here in the first place,when he could have taken a lower EPL or a championship job both who would have paid more than Celtic,tells you that he is not motivated by money,in fact by all accounts both Brendan and his wife are both extremely wealthy people.He is here purely for football reasons,to take Celtic as far as possible in Europe,continue our dominance domestically culminating with 10 in a row and more.All of this can be achieved if the fans show patience when there is the odd blip such as the defeats at Tynecastle and Rugby Park.
The SMSM always highlight the doom merchants tweets and calls to their phone ins,and i think the players,if they even pay any attention to them in the first place? have the sense to see that.
One thing about the home support that has concerned me over the past few years is that the majority wait for the team to do something before finding their voices,i’m old school and remember many a time in the “jungle” where THEY inspired the team and didn’t wait for the team to inspire them.Not being a season ticket holder,and having to travel from Aberdeen,i only attend around 8/10 games a season i therefore sit in various parts of the JS and LL stands,ticket availability determining where i sit,and i hear little pockets of fans trying to start chants,mostly with little success,because many of the fans sit on their hands when the team are not performing to their usual best.Thank god for the Green Brigade for their magnificent vociferous and colourful support,because without them the atmosphere at Celtic Park would be non existent at times.
BRENDAN’S HERE FOR TEN IN A ROW believe me,this is the dark side and the SMSM’s worst nightmare

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:27 pm ·

JOHN, erudition…

Celtic SymphonyFebruary 7, 2018 at 10:41 am ·

Pride is at stake against Zenit ? Eh ?
You always maintain,the gulf between us and others in spfl,means we should win every game,Ralph.
Does this not apply here ?
Zenit spent 80M,this season alone,to an already expensively assembled squad.
We are massive underdogs,pride doesn’t come into it.I will go,with hope in my heart,but that is all it is.
HH

So an another 7-1 drubbing will satisfy you then. No point in turning up. Celtic seldom stick 6 or 7 by anyone in the league. Don’t thibk we have scored more than 4 this season. Just winning is a stretch. But then y have spent 5 times what we have we don’t really need to bother is really not good enough. Zenit are second division European standard .

Celtic SymphonyFebruary 7, 2018 at 12:23 pm ·

Being realistic,John.
Money talks in this game now.
Yes,I have hope,of a result at home,like Bayern game,where we were unlucky,not to get a draw.
Compare Bayern’s 10-2 aggregate victory over big spending Arsenal,this time last year,and it shows we done well at home to them.
Yes,another performance like that,and we could get a win against Zenit.
With hope in our hearts.
HH

MaccaFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:05 pm ·

But as they say CS, “Hope is not a strategy” Brendan yet to convince us he knows how to get the team to perform in Europe

“the home performance against Astana has arguably yet to be bettered, as indeed could be said about the away win in Rosenborg.” True but these games were qualifiers against far weaker opposition than we are facing now. Since then we have gone on to get gubbed on a regular basis. Not buying the “we’re never going to be in their class argument” With our resources we should always be able to at least make a fist of it. BTW, Lets get realistic. We’re struggling to beat Kilmarnock right now. As Ralph says, something’s not right!

MaccaFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:07 pm ·

But as they say CS, “Hope is not a strategy” Brendan yet to convince us he knows how to get the team to perform in Europe

“the home performance against Astana has arguably yet to be bettered, as indeed could be said about the away win in Rosenborg.” True but these games were qualifiers against far weaker opposition. Since then we have gone on to get gubbed on a regular basis. Not buying the “we’re never going to be in their class argument” With our resources we should always be able to at least make a fist of it,. BTW, Lets get realistic. We’re struggling to beat Kilmarnock right now. As Ralph says, somethings not right

MaccaFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:50 pm ·

So good I said it twice? Apologies for double click

Celtic SymphonyFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:14 pm ·

So good you forgot BR’s best away victory in CL Groups.lol
An emphatic away win in Belgium,against a team,that had spent more than us 🙂
Dream on,if you think we can compete against the elite in Europe,away from home.
At home,I always fancy our chances.We ran Bayern close,PSG were something else,and Anderlecht was a tricky game,they had nothing to lose,but we still finished 3rd in Group.
Europe is a bonus for us.
Domestic football is our bread and butter.
Cheers.

Rob(The Truth Is Out There) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:31 am ·

Macca,spot on…..

Wisnae meFebruary 7, 2018 at 11:23 am ·

“The players seem to still hate the extra training”

Which players? The foreign players who were brought up properly through good youth systems and don’t eat pie suppers, or the Scottish contingent?

win it?
Scoring a goal will be nice to see but given we lost Fortress parkhead a long time back, I think we need some realism ( Brendan wont do pragmatism of course) so just pray we get the ball in the net

I never thought I would see the day when e-tims would be taken over by so many Rangers supporter , staunch SMSM & simple idiots .
It’s beyond a joke when an idiot thinks he knows more than Brendan Rodgers .
We have a small hard core of idiots in the stand we are delighted when a Celtic player makes a mistake , it gives them an opportunity to shout their displeasure, this is something they can’t do at home because they are hen- pecked by wife & boy friend . If they don’t want to support & encourage Celtic , why don’t they stay at home with their bullying partner

Celtic SymphonyFebruary 7, 2018 at 12:29 pm ·

Hear,hear !

Rob O'KeeffeFebruary 7, 2018 at 5:43 pm ·

Amazing DJ,I’ve been going to Parkhead for fifty years and the crowd have never shown their displeasure,is this a new phenomenon? De doo de doo roo…..

Jimmy mFebruary 7, 2018 at 12:22 pm ·

Why do Scotland need oap,s surely leap backwards!!

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:29 pm ·

Jimmy M,
Henke will be upset with this……

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:22 pm ·

I’m almost upset… but then I’m not Scottish… but I feel his pain…

MattFebruary 7, 2018 at 12:52 pm ·

Caption…FFS You two, Follow me. It’s ‘you put yer right foot in…..’!

Hail Hail

Matt

SteveNaiveFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:02 pm ·

Ralph and BJF
There hasn’t been a noticeable rise in criticism from the stands. You roll this out every so often and it’s BJ’ mantra. for anything that goes wrong. The crowd do react to moves that break down and get noticeably jittery when we are passing along the goal line at 1 nil up but that has always been there.
Who are these new fans who are so vociferous ?
You think it inside at times but discuss it after the game where the vast majority still support the players.
We are playing the right way but just don’t have the caliblre of player to sustain this over 90 minutes in the league never mind
Europe. Johnny Hayes didn’t have a great start but the crowd (me) could see he gave his all in every game and he changed their (my) attitude by sheer hard graft.
Calm down ffs.

Whats playing the right way?
Out from the back and causing heart in mouth between chopped and changed centre backs and goalkeeper at regular intervals?
We seem to be awaiting this side ‘kicking on’ but so far its hard to see with every step forward being followed by a step back or too the side.
We see:
A disjointed line up on every game, chopping and changing front line, mixing up 3 and 4 at the back? Misfiring wingers and front men? A poor Scott Brown game means a poor Celtic game?

People keep harking back to the recent glories of past but the past shouldn’t deny anyone the right to question the present or future

MaccaFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:01 pm ·

Well said Desi. God help us if we lose Broonie to an injury. I think I’m right in saying a ban is coming up so will be interested to see how we react. Also fed up with this pish of being on the edge of the opposition penalty box and next minute we’re playing it back through midfield and to the keeper to start again

Iljas BakerFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:02 pm ·

That’s the paradox: big squad but so difficult to use in reality.

Rob O'KeeffeFebruary 7, 2018 at 5:48 pm ·

D.Mond,sensible and honest.Playing the right way? Nae chance.As for Jonny Haaayynnes,aahhh…..Never,Never,Never….

People talk as if the supporters in the stands booing players and getting annoyed is a new thing. It has beeen present throughout my time supporting Celtic. Some players have been treated disgracefully, Efe Ambrose, Anton Rogan, Stuart Slater and various other not very good celtic players have been practically booed onto the park. It’s not new. Expectations are high and it is clear that some players are not good enough. it has been clear for months but precious little has been done to rectify the situation and that leads to frustration. I mean it cannot come as a surprise to anyone that Boyata is not a good player. unless you are blind and a total fuckin idiot. what I find disappointing is supporters, and there is an indication on here today, have accepted that we will get hammered in europe and have bought the shite from the club that there is nothing w ecan do about it. To me this is a tragedy. If celtic are not a European club Celtic are dead. Because this tinpot backwater is not enough. If beating Sevco is all you want God help you.
The reason the supporters are angry stems from European humilaitions and the disgrace the etam has been over two seasons. that is why we have been poor in the league and the players are lacking confidence. they know they will be judged by Europe so does the manager. The rest are baubles and trinkets that mean little outside of lanarkshire to be honest. that is why investment is still needed. we neeed to be competing at a certain level. Or it is one to us , one to them for the rest of time. because believe me we will need them for no other reason than to keep some of the supporters who live in the past happy.

IBhoyFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:37 pm ·

The only place I’ve heard or read of “stories of unrest” are on this site.

Doing the tabloids’ job for them. You must be so proud.

tommythecommyFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:40 pm ·

“Morale is clearly low amongst the players”, is it?

“Or could all this be bollocks?” I think this statement sums up your article.

ROB O'KEEFFEFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:39 pm ·

Better than last season? How happy do the players look? The moaning from the stands is largely caused by the back passing and tippy tappy nonsense once the defence panic amongst themselves..

Puggy67February 7, 2018 at 1:40 pm ·

John this ‘tinpot backwater’ is my country. You may wish to bugger off to England for the cash but if all you seek from the game is glory obtained through fiscal immorality then Manchester United is waiting for you with open arms.

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:31 pm ·

Puggy,
Man Utd & ” glory “?
Not for the foreseeable m8

Puggy67February 7, 2018 at 6:44 pm ·

Aye but glory hunting sit on their hands fans for decades. Was at Chalkie’s testimonial. The MC asked us to sing at half time.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:53 pm ·

Football has changed dramatically over the past 10 years.You can only play players who want to play here, can you imagine if Van Dyke, Wanyama Forster Ki,etc would have been happy to stay so we could build a team around them.
Thats never going to happen now, and maybe Brendan realises that and its better to build with home grown players and players who genuinly want to play for the hoops.
We cannot get top quality players that can make a dent into champions league 2cd spot.
Get real, the dutch, the belgians etc all are struggling as the best players head for the riches of the big 4 leagues.
We are a european club but not at the level we were used to,and the reason is very simple,
Top players do not want to play here in this tinpot league.
So before accusing Celtic of not matching our expectations,think of the barriers which were never there before,and the money that players who might have came here before,can get at Burnley or Brighton or fuckin some team in the championship.
So all i want is to continue to dominate our domestic league,qualify for the champions league, and if we can play in europe after xmas. Develop our home grown players,improve the players already here.
Ohh wait weve already done that.
HH

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:32 pm ·

jimmybee… Well said that man… A common sense approach 🙂

NoelskytrotFebruary 7, 2018 at 5:24 pm ·

JBee,
Bang on mate.

BondiBrianFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:53 pm ·

The voice of reason, ladies & gentlemen I give you….Jimmybee.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 1:56 pm ·

Caption: The grass is looking well lads that gardening leave you were on has worked.

jimbohFebruary 7, 2018 at 2:25 pm ·

Caption…
The Three Stooges re-unite for European Tour after Newspaper Campaign on behalf of the Official Fan Club the SFA, (Swag For Auldboys ).

Tully, genuine question here, have you ever been to a ‘tinpot’ country? Cos ah have in Africa, Asia and South America. If you think Scotland is aa ‘tinpot’ country you are either very naive or stupid. I’ll go for the former.

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:29 pm ·

We Celtic supporters need to stand united now, all the moaning, justified or not needs to be put aside.
There are trophies to be won, let’s just get behind everyone, manaer & players & EACH OTHER and go and make this another historic season.
Battles lie ahead, they can only be won, if we all stand as one!

FUCK THE SFA!

COYBIG

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:30 pm ·

P.S.
Lawwell
Boyata – out!

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:39 pm ·

Monti… you can just see that in here…will the paranoid androids change those spots?????

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:46 pm ·

Did ya see what I did there 🙂

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 6:12 pm ·

🙂

BondiBrianFebruary 7, 2018 at 9:57 pm ·

The day we get this: “We Celtic supporters need to stand united now, all the moaning, justified or not needs to be put aside”

the day afore, the Roaster posts this:

“We got some good news on the injury front….Dedryck Boyata is out for 6 months & not three weeks as first feared.”

As ah say afore: pathetic.

Pat HigneyFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:38 pm ·

Caption: 21 century updated version of Tom,Dick and Harry…..Dick,Dick and Dick.

NoelskytrotFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:46 pm ·

Not one person on here knows what’s going on at Celtic and what’s happening with BR and the players. Journalism in Scotland is a joke these bastards hate all things Celtic, ignore them. Social media is mostly a platform for people to spout hate, shite and express personal opinions. I say back the team, back the manager, and if a constructive critique is needed, do it. Let’s not give the haters any room to go against us, by fuck they do enough.

Rob O'KeeffeFebruary 7, 2018 at 5:51 pm ·

Some do…….contacts,contacts……even Ralph has some……..

NoelskytrotFebruary 7, 2018 at 6:47 pm ·

Hahaaaa, Ralphie might just have an insider giving him the low down.

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:13 pm ·

Rob.. I’d imagine Ralph’s contacts would be a tad better than just friends of friends of friends…

Rob(The Truth Is Out There) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:39 am ·

Logical Captain…..Signed Spock…..

Rob(The Truth Is Out There) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:43 am ·

Maybe he’s telling the truth then,like some others? …..

Daziekanowski's nightclub childFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:49 pm ·

Caption: Dae any of yoos want a tax free loan?

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:50 pm ·

Noelskytrot…best thing to do is let BR get on with the job he is tasked with. As for Scottish journalism…there is, for the most part, no such thing…scandal rags and fiction pages…

Rob,
which they’re inept bastard’s when doing so. Thank feck for the Timternet.

Rob(The Truth Is Out There) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:42 am ·

Agree Noel,but their Sevco fairy tales seem to regularly find their way onto Celtic sites for discussion rather than us just totally ignoring them……

D J SmythFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:52 pm ·

Only Manchester City, in the Morning UK, have had a better domestic season than us yet according to some fools on here we have in fighting in dressing room & B R has a player revolt on his hands .
Of course Brendan is about to take over as manager of lowly Chelsea, he will be an instant hit with the Chelsea fans . It is just what the Chelsea fans have been waiting for a manager to come down from managing in Scotland to manager their European wonders .
Some people don’t know whether they should ridicule Brendan or praise him , so they do both

Rob O'KeeffeFebruary 7, 2018 at 5:58 pm ·

DJ,you are calling posters on here simple idiots and fools.There is no player revolt,that hasn’t been stated.However,there are problems that are becoming apparent by the sharp decline in performances.If you can’t see this,then maybe you are a Sevconian,simple,idiotic,fool…….

SteveNaiveFebruary 7, 2018 at 3:55 pm ·

Nobody is accepting getting hammered in Europe… it hurts us all but there is a modern way to play the game. We are getting some success with it so do you think we can shut up shop in Europe to keep it close then go back to free flowing domestic football at say, Rugby Park, Dens Park ? Oh and don’t forget the men in Masonic black doing their dammnest to screw us over. We aren’t Man. City and even they missed a hatful and succumbed to piss poor defending to draw.
Luxury beds in the new hotel will really worry the big teams .

Yoker BhoyFebruary 7, 2018 at 4:54 pm ·

Interestingly, Luis Enrique is being strongly touted for the Chelsea job by the Spanish sports press. This is a man who delivered 2 league championships, 3 Spanish Cups, one Champions League as well as various other trophies (super-cups, FIFA club World CUp, etc). Considering Chelsea’s ambition, that’s a very good shout imho but, of course, there will be other top candidates and Conte still has time to turn things around as well. I honestly don’t see Brendan going to Stamford Bridge in the near future.

HH

Yoker BhoyFebruary 7, 2018 at 4:56 pm ·

I forgot to mention that Luis Enrique did all that in only 3 seasons at Barça.

Caption: Salary says ‘Who’s that sitting behind us?’
Walter(EBT) ‘Think he said he was called Murty’

BJFFebruary 7, 2018 at 7:03 pm ·

Boyata one of the invincible,played in two winning cup final teams, he scored a vital goal in our CL qualifiers last year and a “Celtic”supporter calls him a donkey. That’s really getting behind the team, criticism of a player is fine but it should be intelligent and ideally constructive but abuse comes from the other mob. My opinion is we support Celtic players but maybe that is just me, Brendan Rodgers is from a family that supported Celtic way back, his uncle and cousins were regulars at Celtic but his parents wouldn’t let him travel over. He was close to Tommy Burns when TB was at Reading how come suddenly he isn’t one of us, what’s the agenda here, I am sure we could get Ronnie or Mowbray back if some feel that takes us forward, “Nurse!”

MontiFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:23 pm ·

BJF,
He’s shite.

BJFFebruary 7, 2018 at 7:07 pm ·

Weered new Celtic supporters club started in Nirth Belfast “ Mclaughlins”.

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:00 pm ·

BJF… IS THAT THE PUB TOP OF NEW LODGE ROAD

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:06 pm ·

BJF.. My brother helps out with the Ben Madigan club. I must get a tkt & travel for one of the remaining games

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 7:45 pm ·

Anyone doubting Brendan Rodgers loyalty to the Celtic cause then I suggest you buy or I will give you a loan of his autobiography. His love of Celtic passed on by his uncles shines through,so much did he love the hoops that he called his son Anton after Anton Rogan.
His uncle wrote to big Billy asking him to send scouts over to watch him,Big Billy send a letter back to him,which he kept a secret till he became the manager.
His love is as true as mine for Celtic. That’s enough for me.

NoelskytrotFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:22 am ·

JBee,
the story about Danny McGrain when BR first came in tells you all you need to know about BR and his affections forCFC. Tells you a lot about BR as,a person as well.

jimmybeeFebruary 7, 2018 at 7:51 pm ·

Let’s hope we keep Brendan for the next few seasons and enjoy which will mostly be good times. We will have down times,it is then that we should come together,if this hysteria over 2 defeats is anything to go by then they have been spoiled fuckin rotten the past 18 months or so. Enjoy the present. Take the defeats on the chin,and enjoy this period in our illustrious history.

Rob(WorldClass contacts) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:49 am ·

2 defeats and 6 draws,domestically.Humiliation in Europe.However,if you’re happy with this,keep on being happy.But some of us are looking for progression not regression…..

Jack the rackFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:03 pm ·

Skipped to the end after the piece about Celtic finished and you moved onto other subjects.

This is poor stuff. Ralph could get a job on the tabloids with this approach.

Jack… I guess it’s down to one’s perspective and I think yours is wrong…

Rob(WorldClass contacts) O'KeeffeFebruary 8, 2018 at 9:53 am ·

Good,cheerio.Check out all Celtic sites and social media,there are more than 7 disgruntled punters…….

BJFFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:33 pm ·

Weered I am not sure about the New Lidge but they asked Celtic to promote the formation of a new north Belfast club do if you buzz around Celtic twitter, my guess is the pub is a good bet, anything that helps get tickets is bound to be good. Is Ben Madfigan still in the go?

WeeredFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:48 pm ·

BJF.. YEP. IT HAS HAD SEVERAL ITERATIONS. MY BRO HAS BEEN WITH THEM A FEW YEARS…

BJFFebruary 7, 2018 at 8:34 pm ·

Maddigan dam it.

John mc mullenFebruary 7, 2018 at 11:02 pm ·

Fat ally “I can’t go on gaffer I’ve got water on my knee”

jimmybeeFebruary 8, 2018 at 12:55 am ·

Caption: Is that an ebt in your pocket or you just pleased to see us boss.